Ball field and game equipment

ABSTRACT

A field game comprises a field area of substantially rectangular configuration enclosed by a track path and divided into two courts. One of each of a plurality of fling tubes, mitts, hard hats and body protecting equipment is adapted to be used by a corresponding one of the players. A fling ball is adapted to be thrown by the players via the fling tubes. Six hurdles are placed in the track at desired locations. A loop at one point of the track separates and reverses runners. Each court has an entrance corridor leading runners from a buffer to the track and from the track to the buffer of the opposing court. Each of a pair of dead zones is located between a corresponding one of the buffers and the track. A net is stretched across the field area and divides it into two courts, Each of a pair of spoiler zones extends along a corresponding side of the net. Three spaced circular zones are provided in each court.

ilnite States Patent [191 Mavroirides Oct. 15, 1974 BALL FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT [75] Inventor: Dennis A. Mavrofrides, Haverhill, ABSTRACT Mass- A field game comprises a field area of substantially [73] Assigneez The Raymond Lee urganimtim, rectangular configuration enclosed by a track path Inc New York a part and divided into two courts. One of each of a plurality interest of fling tubes, mitts, hard hats and body protecting equipment is adapted to be used by a corresponding [22] Flled: 1974 one of the players. A fling ball is adapted to be thrown [21] Appl. NO'1434597 by the players via the fling tubes. Six hurdles are placed in the track at desired locations. A loop at one point of the track separates and reverses runners. US. Cl- H, R Each court has an entrance corriidor leading runners from a buffer to the track and from the track to the Field Of Search t R, H, R buffer of the pposing court Each of a of dead zones is located between a corresponding one of the References Clted buffers and the track. A net is stretched across the UNITED STATES PATENTS field area and divides it into two courts, Each of a pair 3,746,340 7/1973 Ellis 273/95 H of Spoiler Zones extends along Corresponding Side Of Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or FirmDaniel Jay Tick the net. Three spaced circular zones are provided in each court.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 @MT) @r@ 9 MILE TRAGi-t. i g 1 (BLOCK $1 BLOCKS VG f BUFFEZ 2 ma-r- 54oz @z/F 7 oewia-i 2 5 1o 4 46 i 35 5025 2a 15 1a 5 0 5 E C wf fE/ CE 2 3 5 5 5 2 m w E A I? Q s e A? a (5 a jig 5 I N57 29 45\ P l w 25 V 57110 me am 35 O 34 45 .28 0A A 22 l l r 30 .35 O

25 40 7 45 Y F E2 /5\:/50 2 i i 2 r m 1 .55 e N e o T 0 sg i CD I o ewzszg [55 45 40 35 3o 25 29 1a 5 o 51221452 ZONE 3% ens/4% 5 d s/s e a We 540 QVEJ 25 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a field game.

The principal object of the invention is toprovide a field game which provides enjoyment, relaxation, recreation, a test of skill and interest.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the field area of the field game of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fling tube and a fling ball of the game of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a mitt of the game of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a hard hat of the game of the invention.

1. Number of players:

on each side, or on each court.

2. Object of game:

To get a certain number of credits. x number of credits needed to win. x /2 y l. y number of players on the opposing court.

3. Equipment:

Fling tube 11 (FIG. 2), fling ball 12 (FIG. 2), mitt 13 (FIG. 3), hard hat 14 (FIG. 4), Jersey or sweatshirt, athletic support and guard, shorts, shinguards, spikes, net, 6 rope or wood blocks or hurdles 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, (FIG. 1) for the track, 1 foot by 1 foot by 6 inches.

4. Track 21 (FIG. 1):

/2 mile around the grounds. On the track, on the front of each entrance, a 1 foot block must be placed.

Each force or team may then place its remaining 2 blocks arbitrarily along the track at the discretion of the Capts. of both forces. The track may not be grass, loose dirt or sand, and shouldnt be pavement. At one end of the track must be a ramp or loop 22 (FIG. 1) to reverse and separate the call runners. The ramp or loop 22 must be less than or equal to 30 yds. and is considered separate from the track 21.

5. Entrances 23 and 24 (FIG. 1):

One for each court. Each is a chalked corridor 5 yds. wide and less than or equal to 50 yds. long, which leads runners from the buffer to the track and from the track to the buffer of the opposing court.

6. Dead Zones 25 and 26 (FIG. 1):

Each is the area between the buffer and the track. M .C.s and Gfs. may stand here to watch the activities on the track or grounds.

7. Buffers 27 and 28 (FIG. 1):

Each is an area 5 yds. wide, along both sides of the grounds. Each is part of the grounds. Runners must enter this area whether leaving or entering a court. Each is a safety zone for runners.

8. Net 29 (FIG. I):

It is 60 yds. long by 5 feet high. It must have a centralized plate to hold the cabal or fling ball during a call.

9. Spoilers 30 and 31 (FIG. 1):

Each is a chalked zone 5 yd. wide along each side of the net 29.

10. SafT-Circuits 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 (FIG. 1):

Each is a safety zone for entering runners from the opposing court. Each court has three circuits 15 yds. in

diameter, 10 yds. in diameter, 15 yds. in diameter. The midpoint of the 1st circuit must be on the center front line, 30 yd. from the buffer. The midpoint of the 2nd circuit must lie withinthe center area, so that the perimeter of the circuit lies between the center and rearward front lines. The midpoint of the third circuit must RULES OF PLAY Rearward three Rds He is the backfield of the court and, usually, the 1st runner. He must stay within the Rd. Territory or the buffer while on his court. However, he is restricted to the Rd. and Cr. Terr. when in the opposing court, but may occupy any Saf-T-Circuit there.

Forward six Fd.s He is playing right next to the net and must play within his Fd. Terr. On an opposing court, he is restricted to the Fd. and Cr. 'Terr., but may occupy any Circuit.

Center six CR.s He is the middle and perhaps the most active player. He is restricted to the Cr. Terr. and buffer on his and the opposing court, in which he may also occupy any Circuit. I

Captain one Capt. (center) He calls all the plays, sends all the runners, and serves. Without him, no one may leavethat court, and that force may not serve or call. He is not restricted to a Terr. on his court, but follows the same procedure as any other Cr. when on an opposing court.

Running Only one man at a time may be on the track from both courts. Any player from a court may be signaled by the Capt. to run. The Capt. himself may run. The object of this is to get a man from one court, around his track and into the opposing court, thereby bringing a credit to his force as long as hesnot dropped (except the Capt. whose 2 credits remain whether or not he is dropped in the opponents court. However, he

must enter the court).

Passing If any player travels beyond his restricted area in his court, the force is penalized a merit and a merit is given the opposing force. If a player passes in the opponents court, he is disqualified for the game, his credit rebuked, and he is not replaced on his court.

The same penalty is true if any player hits or touches an opponent with his hands or arms. (Also called Passing.)

Replacing A runner is replaced on hiscourt as soon as he enters the oppositions court. (A Capt. isnt replaced until the half.) If the player is dropped on the track or court, he is not replaced until the Half and his credit rebuked. The Capt.s credits are not destroyed.

Hitting If a ball is flung and lands on other than the spoiler, net, D.ZL, or buffer, then it counts as a merit for the team that flung it. While a player is on the opponents court, he may catch the ball (not when on a circuit or buffer) and touch it to the above-mentioned hit areas. If he hits while on a Saf-T-Circuit, it is an interference and his side is penalized 1 merit.

Miss If a ball touches the net or lands on a Saf-T- Circuit, no merits are scored and the offending team loses the serve.

Holding A ball may not be held more than once in a terr. (during a play) and no longer than 3 seconds in any Terr. Holding is a merit for the opposite force.

Dropping Forcing an opponent to touch a knee to the court or to the track during a call, or stopping or tripping on the track at any time. Dropping on a circuit costs the offending force two merits and a merit is given the other team.

Blocking If either Capt. wishes, he may stop an opponents runner from entering his court by having two of his men stand in the buffer before the entrance. This runner may not be replaced or recalled until the half, or until the block is lifted. The blockers cannot participate in the game and are not replaced. They may be re-. called and the runner is then permitted to enter.

Merits A cert-ain'number of these equals a credit.

That number equals the number of men on that court] Ex. three men. Three merits are needed for a credit.

Dead Ball A ball in the.D.Z. is a point or merit for for the opponent. However, as with the dead ball and foul, if the ball is touched or caught by the opponent,

there is no point and the serve goes back to the other win. If 1% or two credits are needed, he 'may still call,

but must himself run. Procedure a runner from each court lines at the Start of the Call, (S.0.C.) which was determined before the game. At a signal from a gun,?

they must race around the track and eventually back to their courts. Whoever gets the cabal first and flings it to the other court for a hit, wins for his force. if the fling is a miss, foul, dead, etc., or is returned for a hit against his court, he loses his court's call for the game; each force is only allowed 1 call per game.

Bump A call runner may be forced to drop (stop or touch a knee) by his opponent runner and the call will be lost. If, however, arms and/or hands are used in the bump, the offender loses the game for his force.

l buffers on D.S.s, and five on their own D.Z. behind the Rd. Terr. They judge all plays and can only be overruled by a ground official, gf., or by vote of the official justices. M.C.s may also be swapped, by their Capt., with a 1st Half player after the Half-and they may be used as a call runner, or as a track official to referee the runners and/or call-runners. in the latter two circumstances, the M.C.s are not replaced in their initial position, but must themselves return to that place (only by their Capt.s permission). The Capt. may fine players for any breach of his commands. This also applies to M.C.s.

gf. Ground Official four gf. He belongs to no force, but to the grounds being played upon, or he is hired through mutual funds of both teams, from an agency created for this purpose. He may rebuke an M.C.s decision.

j. Official Justices 40j. are acquired in the same manner as the gf., but are only to call time-out for instant-replays and pass their-conclusive judgment on the play in question. A vote of three out of four is necessary to pass such a judgment.

gf. Positions of gf. and M.C.s gf.: one on each end of the net to referee the net, spoiler, and, if he wishes, the Fd. Terr. of both courts; one to each court he may, unlike the M.C.s, wander over the entire court, although he is in charge of the 2nd Saf-T-Circuit.

M.C. there are five in the D1. behind the Rd. Terr. of their court; eight four on each buffer on Side D2. of the opposing court; two No'nineon the 1st circuit, No. 10 on the third circuit. No. nine may travel and watch only between the spoiler and Rd. front-line, No. 10 only between the Cr. frontline and the D2. The other M.C.s arent restricted in territory, but must stay within the bufferor D.Z. If an M.C. trespasses his authorized jurisdiction, it is a pass and his force is penalized accordingly.

No M.C. or gf. may interfere with any runner on the buffer, track, or. entrance, or he shall be fined. Such fines are levied by the oj. again, by a vote of three out of four pro. Capt. or runners may-signal-time-out to present such grievances against delinquent M.C.s

and/or gf., before the official justices whose vote is final.*

In the occasion that there arises a tie vote, a fifth'oj. will be acknowledged his sole purpose being to settle any tie voting, which may or may not occur during the course of the game.

Any of the aforementioned rules and regulations may be amended if such is deemed necessary for the benefit of the game by agreement of an officially acknowledged board of directors.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A field game, comprising a field area of substantially rectangular configuration enclosed by a track path and divided into two courts;

a plurality of fling tubes, mitts, hard hats and body protecting equipment one of each adapted to be used by'a corresponding one of the players;

a fling ball adapted to be thrown by the players via the fling tubes; I

six hurdles placed in the track at desired locations;

a loop at one point of the track to separate and reverse runners;

a pair of buffers; I a pair of entrance corridors each for a corresponding court and each leading runners from a buffer to the track and from the track to the buffer of the opposing court; a pair of dead zones each located between a corresponding one of the buffers and the track; a net stretched across the field area and dividing it into two courts; a pair of spoiler zones each extending along a corresponding side of the net; and three spaced circular areas in each court. 2. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each court is divided into three adjacent areas parallel to the net, the area closest to the net being the forward area,

the area farthest from the net being the rearward area and the intermediate area being the center area.

3. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the field area is 90 by 60 yards.

4. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hurdle is 1 foot by 1 foot by 'r'foot.

5. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein th loop is a maximum of 30 yards.

6. A field game as claimed in claim 1 wherein each entrance corridor is 5 yards wide and a maximum of 50 yards long.

7. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each buffer is 5 yards wide.

8. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the net is 60 yards long and 5 feet high.

9. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each spoiler zone is 5 yards wide. 

1. A field game, comprising a field area of substantially rectangular configuration enclosed by a track path and divided into two courts; a plurality of fling tubes, mitts, hard hats and body protecting equipment one of each adapted to be used by a corresponding one of the players; a fling ball adapted to be thrown by the players via the fling tubes; six hurdles placed in the track at desired locations; a loop at one point of the track to separate and reverse runners; a pair of buffers; a pair of entrance corridors each for a corresponding court and each leading runners from a buffer to the track and from the track to the buffer of the opposing court; a pair of dead zones each located between a corresponding one of the buffers and the track; a net stretched across the field area and dividing it into two courts; a pair of spoiler zones each extending along a corresponding side of the net; and three spaced circular areas in each court.
 2. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each court is divided into three adjacent areas parallel to the net, the area closest to the net being the forward area, the area farthest from the net being the rearward area and the intermediate area being the center area.
 3. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the field area is 90 by 60 yards.
 4. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hurdle is 1 foot by 1 foot by 1/2 foot.
 5. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop is a maximum of 30 yards.
 6. A field game as claimed in claim 1 wherein each entrance corridor is 5 yards wide and a maximum of 50 Yards long.
 7. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each buffer is 5 yards wide.
 8. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the net is 60 yards long and 5 feet high.
 9. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein each spoiler zone is 5 yards wide.
 10. A field game as claimed in claim 1, wherein two circular areas in each court have 15 yard diameters and one of the circular areas in each court has a 10 yard diameter. 